Surfside Boracay Resort & Spa

For travelers who privilege location and simplicity over style, the Japanese-owned Surfside Boracay Resort & Spa is a fine choice. Despite its modest two-and-a-half-pearl rating, everything is thoughtfully laid out, and there are some surprising perks here, like a great little spa. A narrow lobby stretches along one side of the building, a pleasant open-air hall with bamboo furniture and marble-topped reception desk. Beyond it, the alfresco cafe is made of substantial amounts of mahogany and bamboo, with rope lashings holding it all together. Given its beachside location, the main activity at the Surfside is unwinding by the sea. Out in front, there are plenty of loungers across the white sand -- a mix of old plastic jobs and some of a more contemporary rattan-style, all with comfortable cushions -- and there's a lot of shade between the leafy trees, palms, and white canvas umbrellas. Expect to see mostly couples here, though some families and groups of friends do pass through as well.

This part of White Beach, known as Station 3, is the quietest of the main oceanfront areas in Boracay, but there are many restaurants and beach shacks within walking distance. Nightlife and dining in bustling Station 2 are a 15- to 20-minute walk down the beach. Tourist spots in Station 1, such as Willy’s Rock and Club Paraw, are a 15-minute tuk-tuk ride away. Several lovely beaches in northern Boracay, including Diniwid and Punta Bunga, can be reached in about 20 minutes. Expect it to take about 40 minutes to reach the Boracay Airport, by combination of road and ferry. 

The hotel has 16 air-conditioned rooms that don't go far beyond the budget category when it comes to style -- the look is quite dated throughout each. Expect generic seaside wall art, drab fabrics and upholstery, and lots of pastel colors. Everything is thoughtfully labeled in English and Japanese, with little signs on the simple wood and bamboo furnishings. Standard Rooms are small -- with just 17 square meters of space (183 square feet) -- and include two twin beds. There's just enough space for a small table for two. The small patios are furnished with another small table and chairs, but have no ocean views. Family Rooms add a double bed, while Deluxe Rooms have rustic four-poster double beds and balconies with hammocks, along with partial ocean views. Free Wi-Fi comes standard, along with old tube TVs, mini-fridges, and electric kettles. The cramped bathrooms have old, tiled walk-in showers. There's also a Junior Suite with a beachfront view and a huge rooftop terrace that has loungers and a table with a shade umbrella. 

The beach here is narrow, but the water is clear and we found it to be free of the seaweed that can plague other parts of Boracay. There are plenty of comfortable loungers and shade umbrellas for the number of guests staying here at any given time. Unfortunately, there is no pool. Right off the sand, Surfside's Nagisa Coffee Shop has a bar and serves mostly Japanese and other Asian cuisines. It also has an espresso machine. Free breakfast includes eggs, along with Japanese and Filipino options. The Yasuragi Spa has full-service treatment rooms and facilities that go far beyond average for a budget hotel, complete with a sauna, steam room, and a hot tub, as well as lockers and showers with an adjacent relaxation lounge. Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel.